BYU standout AJ Dybantsa averaged 25.5 ppg last season.
AJ Dybantsa has made it official: He’s entering the NBA draft.
The BYU forward — widely expected to be a top candidate to be the No. 1 pick — made the announcement Thursday. Dybantsa led the nation by averaging 25.5 points per game in his lone college season, along with 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
He’s the first player to have a season with all those averages and be named a consensus All-American since Larry Bird did it for Indiana State in 1978-79.
“Now the work starts again, all over again,” Dybantsa said. “I’ve had a lot of NBA players tell me that it kind of restarts once you get there. I’m just looking forward to that next step, being a rookie and learning from all the vets.”
Dybantsa made the announcement at the Davis School in his hometown of Brockton, Massachusetts — the home of boxing greats Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler, among others.
“It’s the city of champions,” Dybantsa said. “I just want to be considered like one of those champions.”
Dybantsa attended the Davis School until fifth grade and said he still values the lessons instilled in him there, including the importance of education. That’s part of the reason why, even though he’s going to the NBA, Dybantsa said he will simultaneously remain in school and continue working toward a mass communications degree at BYU.
“My mom wanted me to stay in college to graduate,” Dybantsa said. “But I told my mother that I’m going to declare for the draft and also finish and get my degree online. I’ll probably finish within the next four years.”
The NBA Draft Lottery 2026 will be held on Sunday, May 10 and air live on ABC at 3 p.m. ET. The first round of NBA Draft 2026 will take place on Tuesday, June 23, and the second round will take place on Wednesday, June 24.
The Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets all have a 14% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick. When asked what team he would like to play for in the NBA, Dybantsa gave an immediate answer.
“Whatever team drafts me, bro,” Dybantsa said.
He’s not lacking for confidence and hopes to give another speech in Massachusetts — the home of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame — when his playing career is over.
“The next speech — the next big, big speech — I should have is the Hall of Fame speech,” Dybantsa said. “So, we should be good.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Leave a Reply